Overlooked and underused? The benefits and challenges of using causal mapping for project studies

Despite the considerable body of extant research on project management complexities, further investigation of the actualities of practice, and the impact of projects on societies is required – but this is not easy. Research methods that enable researchers to surface, structure, and analyse the range of interacting issues, objectives, values, decisions, and options that constitute project complexities, in a way that provides richness and depth, are critical for advancing the field. This paper provides a synthesis of the literature on causal mapping applied in project studies and reflects on how causal mapping can provide a powerful data collection and analysis technique which can reveal valuable insights on project organising practice. The paper present how causal mapping has been used to support three data collection forms (desk-based, individual and group settings) commonly used in project studies, noting both the benefits and challenges before reflecting upon how it can be used in a complementary manner alongside other data collection approaches such as surveys, and methods such as case studies and action research. The paper concludes with some final comments along with noting potential research directions. •Causal mapping can provide a powerful data collection and analysis technique to project management researchers.•Causal mapping can be used to support a range of data collection forms.•Reflects on how it has been used and explore both the benefits and challenges of application.